by Tunde Fagbenle
“You have never really lived
Until you have done something
For someone who can never repay you” – Anonymous
‘Seyanu Basorun is an Applied Geology undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He hopes he will graduate in the future to become a successful geologist, applying his knowledge to make his country better. But that dream is threatened, as ‘Seyanu lies critically ill at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife diagnosed with acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (cancer of the blood). He urgently needs to be flown to a cancer specialist hospital in India at this point, if Nigeria were not to lose yet another one.
A regular reader of this column (a gentle lady and philanthropist in her own right) who I am yet to meet but had quietly come to the aid of the needy whenever this column draws attention to such need (Mrs. A. O, to protect her identity) sent me an email about a week ago:
“Uncle TF,” she says “How have you been sir? I believe this may interest you. Best regards sir.” And she appended this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qKRsbRsmvU
“Abby again”, I said to myself. “She never stops wanting to help someone, far more than her capacity to handle, but always giving her ‘widow’s mite’.”
Once, on reading in this column about a holiday camp being organised by Odegbami Sports Academy, Wasimi, Ogun State, she had enquired if she could sponsor a child to it. She had no child in mind but was willing if I had one to recommend! I turned to the Academy, an indigent boy was suggested, and Abby sponsored without ever meeting the boy, even as I write!
Another time, I told her of a teenage girl I saw whose height and physique made me believe she could become a basketball star if sent to the Academy. I said I wish I had the money to undertake it solely but was ready to co-sponsor. Abby replied immediately, yes, herself with her husband would join me. And they did, again without meeting the girl, even as I write. Today, the young girl is blossoming as a budding basketballer, and trained with Wale Aboderin’s Africa Zone 3 Champions, Dolphin, during her last holidays from the Academy.
Sorry, I digressed. Back to ‘Seyanu. I checked out the youtube link. It was a most moving story of Oluwaseyanu on the hospital bed gradually emaciating into a skeleton of his old self. One could see through his pain and sunken eyes the resolute determination of a young man willing to live, and putting up a fight for it. The video ran entirely to the 1969 soulful country music of Glen Campbell of the song: “Try A Little Kindness.” The lyrics, especially the chorus, moved me to tears. It goes thus:
You’ve got to try a little kindness
And show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
I replied Mrs. A. O: “Thanks for this. But do you know him or his people? If so, what contact do you have for them? There are a number of things to find out: When did it start (diagnosed)? To where has he been taken? Where is he now? What are the chances of his surviving? How much has been collected? How much more needed? Why India? Etc. Best wishes, TF
“PS: Keep on with your “…Little Kindness,” I added.
To which she then replied:
“Good morning sir. Don’t know him personally, but he’s brother to a younger friend of mine, who I can vouch for. He, it was, that intimated me of the case. May I give him your contact? His name is Peter Olobio, works in TOTAL. Many thanks for your support sir.”
That’s it folks. I got in touch with ‘Seyanu’s sister, then his mother. It turned out they are from Lagos State. Father an engineer/farmer, mother a teacher. They have two children, ‘Seyanu and his older sister. The sad turn to their lives began in February this year when ‘Seyanu was diagnosed with the ailment. And he has been at OAU Teaching Hospital where, at the moment, he is in a critical state undergoing chemotherapy.
‘Seyanu urgently needs bone marrow transfer if he is to survive. India is recommended as the place to go. Only N11m is needed to do this and give ‘Seyanu the fighting chance he desires and deserves.
I spoke with one of the consultants treating ‘Seyanu, Prof. M. A. Durosinmi, who agrees that India has the experience of treating so many such cases, and at less cost than most other places. He says there is a place in Benin-city where the Bone Marrow Transplant is also said to be available, but only recently and so perhaps with not enough cases treated.
N11 million to save Oluwaseyanu shouldn’t be such an uphill task if we were a country whose rich people have hearts. To many N11m is the equivalent of what N10 is to me; something I could dispense with at my lowest moment without a thought. But, nay, to them it matters not if they could use N11m to wipe after toilet. I only hope and pray that this plea for ‘Seyanu would do the magic.
Going by the meaning of his name (Oluwaseyanu – God has done wonders) ‘Seyanu is awaiting another of God’s wonder in his life. God will not come down to perform the iyanu wonder. Kindhearted Nigerians are to be His instrument. Another running quote on the ‘Seyanu youtube video says: “Don’t wait for people to be kind, Show them how.”
For those so inclined, here is the detail for your kind donation:
Account Name: Oluwaseyanu Bashorun; Account No: 0055612503; Bank: Diamond Bank Plc.
So far, less than N1m has been donated. Nigerians, please, I beg; no amount is too small. Save the life of this promising young man. For more details please call 08132047374
Pastor Tunde Bakare @ 60!
If there’s one Nigerian I have observed and come to believe in his sincerity, integrity, and honesty of purpose, it is he – Pastor Tunde Bakare.
That doesn’t make his views sacrosanct or right; indeed, he is fallible. But he is also someone who is quick and ready to concede to superior logic and yield position to countervailing facts, as happened with his old position on General Muhammadu Buhari before his ‘conversion’ to Buhari’s camp. One may also add that Mr. Bakare was born a Muslim before converting to Christianity! But once persuaded for or against a cause, he is the fiercest advocate or foe to encounter.
He is brilliant, he is oratorically gifted, and he is one of uncommon courage. Lawyer, activist, and convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare turned 60 on 11 November, and as Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, former Chairman of PUNCH said of Bakare when he chaired the symposium – “The role of Journalism in Nation Building” – at the birthday occasion: Bakare’s “boldness, characteristic eloquence and exploration of fresh ideas” quickly established him during the 2014 National Conference as someone “whose contributions were invariably listened to with rapt attention when he spoke.” Tunde Bakare is a serious and passionate man.
Just as it was for Chief Ogunshola, my first time of seeing Pastor Bakare was also at one of the meetings of the Yoruba caucus held at Isara, at the residence of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. Pastor Bakare came up to me and shook my hand expressing his disbelief that I could be “looking so young” despite my age, gathered from reading my columns. Of course I was flattered and honoured just to meet the great Tunde Bakare of whom I had been reading and whose intrepid deeds I had followed with admiration. We have since met at a couple of other public functions and exchanged fraternal greetings.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, here is to wishing you a Happy 60th Birthday and, may you live long, waxing in strength and wisdom for continued benefit of Nigeria! Amen.
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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.
